Summary
The quality of electrospun nanofibres depends strongly on the solvent used to dissolve the polymer, because the solvent governs solution properties such as volatility, viscosity, surface tension and conductivity, and therefore the stability of the charged jet during spinning. This study examines how the choice of solvent affects the stability of the electrospinning process for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and, in turn, the morphology of the resulting nanofibres. By comparing PMMA solutions prepared in different solvents, the authors relate solvent characteristics to how steadily and continuously the fibres form and to features such as bead formation and fibre uniformity. The work provides practical guidance on selecting solvents that yield a stable spinning process and well-formed PMMA nanofibres, an important consideration when tailoring electrospun mats for a given application.